Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Bioethics in Clinical Practice

• History and evolution of medical ethics

• Core ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice

• Ethical responsibilities of healthcare professionals

• Case Study: Balancing patient rights with clinical responsibility

Module 2: Ethical Decision-Making Models and Clinical Judgment

• Frameworks for ethical reasoning and decision-making

• Ethics committees and their role in hospital settings

• Identifying moral distress and uncertainty

• Practical Exercise: Ethical decision-making role-play

Module 3: Patient Autonomy, Consent, and Confidentiality

• Informed consent: components, documentation, and challenges

• Ethical and legal dimensions of confidentiality

• Special cases: minors, incapacitated patients, and consent substitutes

• Case Study: Consent refusal in high-risk medical treatment

Module 4: End-of-Life Care and Medical Decision-Making

• Palliative care ethics and comfort-focused treatment

• Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders and advanced directives

• Withholding vs. withdrawing life-sustaining treatment

• Discussion Workshop: Navigating family disagreements in end-of-life care

Module 5: Cultural Sensitivity, Equity, and Ethics in Modern Healthcare

• Cultural values and belief systems in medical decisions

• Ethical challenges in resource-limited healthcare settings

• Addressing discrimination, stigma, and vulnerable populations

• Practical Exercise: Developing ethically sensitive clinical communication strategies